Save Article

Threat of Terror Abroad Isn't New
For Oil Companies Like Occidental

By

Alexei Barrionuevo and

Thaddeus HerrickStaff Reporters of The Wall Street Journal

Updated Feb. 7, 2002 12:01 a.m. ET

ARAUCA, Colombia -- Pools of oil gather along the Occidental pipeline that runs through this vast savanna, the result of spills from repeated bombings by rebel forces. On a recent helicopter tour, Occidental Petroleum Corp. officials got word of yet another attack. Their chopper cut through a cloud of thick smoke to take a look at the crimson flames.

"It's frustrating," said Occidental's international chief of security, using a global positioning device to pinpoint the exact location of the oil break. "But we're...